The International Criminal Court prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, has said he is in talks with West African states about referring alleged atrocities in the Ivory Coast to the court.

Aany state that is a member of the ICC can refer a case to the court, requesting the prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes.

Ivory Coast is an ICC member state, which gives the court jurisdiction over crimes committed there.

It is possible that France may also refer the case to the ICC.

The ICC is already conducting a preliminary examination into crimes committed in the West African state, including alleged widespread sexual violence in 2002-2005, but is yet to authorize a formal probe.

Moreno-Ocampo has already warned that any leaders planning violence could end up on trial in The Hague.

We hope anyone who has committed atrocities, on either side of the conflict, will be brought to justice quickly.